This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D3518/D3518M − 18

Standard Test Method for

In-Plane Shear Response of Polymer Matrix Composite
Materials by Tensile Test of a 645° Laminate1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3518/D3518M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope D3878 Terminology for Composite Materials

1.1 This test method determines the in-plane shear response D5229/D5229M Test Method for Moisture Absorption Prop-
of polymer matrix composite materials reinforced by high- erties and Equilibrium Conditioning of Polymer Matrix
modulus fibers. The composite material form is limited to a Composite Materials
continuous-fiber-reinforced composite 645° laminate capable E6 Terminology Relating to Methods of Mechanical Testing
of being tension tested in the laminate x direction. E111 Test Method for Young’s Modulus, Tangent Modulus,
and Chord Modulus
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in ASTM Test Methods
each system are not exact equivalents; therefore, each system E456 Terminology Relating to Quality and Statistics
must be used independently of the other. Combining values
from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the 3. Terminology
standard.
1.2.1 Within the text, the inch-pound units are shown in 3.1 Definitions—Terminology D3878 defines terms relating
brackets. to high-modulus fibers and their composites. Terminology
D883 defines terms relating to plastics. Terminology E6 defines
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the terms relating to mechanical testing. Terminology E456 and
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the Practice E177 define terms relating to statistics. In the event of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- a conflict between terms, Terminology D3878 shall have
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- precedence over the other standards.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- NOTE 1—If the term represents a physical quantity, its analytical
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the dimensions are stated immediately following the term (or letter symbol) in
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- fundamental dimension form, using the following ASTM standard sym-
bology for fundamental dimensions, shown within square brackets: [M]
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical for mass, [L] for length, [T] for time, [Θ] for thermodynamic temperature,
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. and [nd] for nondimensional quantities. Use of these symbols is restricted
to analytical dimensions when used with square brackets, as the symbols
2. Referenced Documents may have other definitions when used without the brackets.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 3.2.1 645° laminate—in laminated composites, a balanced,
D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics symmetric lay-up composed only of +45° plies and −45° plies.
D3039/D3039M Test Method for Tensile Properties of Poly- (See also ply orientation.)
mer Matrix Composite Materials 3.2.2 balanced, adj—in laminated composites, having, for
every off-axis ply oriented at +θ, another ply oriented at −θ that
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D30 on is of the same material system and form.
Composite Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D30.04 on 3.2.3 lamina, n—pl. laminae, in laminated composites, a
Lamina and Laminate Test Methods.
single, thin, uniform layer that is the basic building block of a
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2018. Published November 2018. Originally
approved in 1976. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D3518/D3518M – 13. laminate. (Syn. ply ).
DOI: 10.1520/D3518_D3518M-18.
2
3.2.4 material coordinate system, n—in laminated
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
composites, a 123 Cartesian coordinate system describing the
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on principle material coordinate system for a laminated material,
the ASTM website. where the 1-axis is aligned with the ply principal axis, as

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D3518/D3518M − 18
illustrated in Fig. 1. (See also ply orientation, ply principal 3.2.12.1 Discussion—Many filamentary composite materi-
axis, and principal material coordinate system.) als exhibit a nonlinear stress/strain response during loading,
3.2.5 nominal value, n—a value, existing in name only, such as seen in plots of either longitudinal stress versus
assigned to a measurable property for the purpose of conve- longitudinal strain or transverse strain versus longitudinal
nient designation. Tolerances may be applied to a nominal strain. In certain cases, the nonlinear response may be conve-
value to define an acceptable range for the property. niently approximated by a bilinear fit. There are varying
3.2.6 off-axis, adj—in laminated composites, having a ply physical reasons for the existence of a transition region.
orientation that is neither 0 nor 90°. Common examples include matrix cracking under tensile
3.2.7 ply, n—in laminated composites, synonym for lamina. loading and ply delamination.
3.2.8 ply orientation, n, θ—in laminated composites, the 3.3 Symbols:
angle between a reference direction and the ply principal axis. 3.3.1 A—cross-sectional area of a coupon.
The angle is expressed in degrees, greater than −90° but less
than or equal to +90°, and is shown as a positive quantity when 3.3.2 CV—coefficient of variation statistic of a sample
taken from the reference direction to the ply principal axis, population for a given property (in percent).
following the right-hand rule. 3.3.3 F12° (offset)—the value of the τ12 shear stress at the
3.2.8.1 Discussion—The reference direction is usually re- intersection of the shear chord modulus of elasticity and the
lated to a primary load-carrying direction. stress-strain curve, when the modulus is offset along the
3.2.9 ply principal axis, n—in laminated composites, the engineering shear strain axis from the origin by the reported
coordinate axis in the plane of each lamina that defines the ply strain offset value.
orientation. (See also ply orientation and material coordinate 3.3.4 G12—in-plane shear modulus of elasticity.
system.) 3.3.4.1 Discussion—Indices 1 and 2 indicate the fiber direc-
3.2.9.1 Discussion—The ply principal axis will, in general, tion and transverse to the fiber direction in the plane of the ply,
be different for each ply of a laminate. The angle that this axis respectively, as illustrated in Fig. 2.
makes relative to a reference axis is given by the ply orienta- 3.3.5 n—number of coupons per sample population.
tion. The convention is to align the ply principal axis with the
direction of maximum stiffness (for example, the fiber direc- 3.3.6 P—force carried by test coupon.
tion of unidirectional tape or the warp direction of fabric 3.3.7 Pm—the force carried by test coupon that is the lesser
reinforced material). of the (1) maximum force before failure or (2) force at 5 %
3.2.10 principal material coordinate system, n—a coordi- engineering shear strain.
nate system having axes that are normal to planes of symmetry 3.3.8 sn−1—standard deviation statistic of a sample popula-
within the material. (See also material coordinate system.) tion for a given property.
3.2.10.1 Discussion—Common usage, at least for Cartesian 3.3.9 χi—test result for an individual coupon from the
coordinate systems (for example, 123 or xyz), aligns the first sample population for a given property.
axis of the principal material coordinate system with the
direction of highest property value; for elastic properties, the 3.3.10 x̄—mean or average (estimate of mean) of a sample
axis of greatest elastic modulus is aligned with the 1 or x axes. population for a given property.
3.2.11 symmetric, adj—in laminated composites, when the
constituents, material form, and orientation for the plies located
on one side of the laminate midplane are the mirror image of
the plies on the other side of the midplane.
3.2.12 transition region, n—a strain region of a stress-strain
or strain-strain curve over which a significant change in the
slope of the curve occurs within a small strain range.

FIG. 1 Material Coordinate System FIG. 2 Definition of Specimen and Material Axes

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3.3.11 ε—general symbol for strain, whether normal strain 6. Interferences
or shear strain. 6.1 Impurity of Stress Field—The material in the gage
3.3.12 ε—indicated normal strain from strain transducer or section of this specimen is not in a state of pure in-plane shear
extensometer. stress, as an in-plane normal stress component is present
3.3.13 τ12—shear stress on the plane perpendicular to the throughout the gage section and a complex stress field is
1-axis that acts parallel to the 2-axis. present close to the free edges of the specimen. Although this
test method is believed to provide reliable initial material
3.3.14 τ12m—the calculated value of the τ12 shear stress response and can establish shear stress-shear strain response
taken at the lesser of (1) maximum shear stress before failure well into the nonlinear region, the calculated shear stress
or (2) shear stress at 5 % engineering shear strain. values at failure do not represent true material strength values
3.3.15 γ12—engineering shear strain on the plane perpen- and should only be used with caution. Despite attempts to
dicular to the 1-axis that acts parallel to the 2-axis. minimize these effects, the shear stress at failure obtained from
3.3.16 γ12m—the value of the γ12 engineering shear strain at this test method, even for otherwise identical materials that
the maximum shear stress before failure, or 5 %, whichever is differ only in cured ply thickness or fabric areal weight, may
less. have differing failure modes and may not be able to be
statistically pooled. The technical basis for the further discus-
4. Summary of Test Method sion below is taken from the paper by Kellas et al.5
6.1.1 Effects of In-Plane Normal Stress Field—Of particular
4.1 A uniaxial tension test of a 645° laminate is performed concern is the in-plane stress component normal to the fiber
in accordance with Test Method D3039/D3039M, although direction. This component of stress is present in all plies and
with specific restrictions on stacking sequence and thickness. throughout the gage section of the specimen. The effect of this
Use of this test for evaluation of in-plane shear response was stress on a given ply is minimized by the fiber reinforcement of
originally proposed by Petit3 and was later improved by the neighboring plies. Since the ply constraint is reduced with
Rosen.4 Using expressions derived from laminated plate increasing ply thickness, the thickness of the individual plies is
theory, the in-plane shear stress in the material coordinate an important parameter that influences both the shear stress-
system is directly calculated from the applied axial force, and shear strain response and the ultimate failure force of this
the related shear strain is determined from longitudinal and specimen.6 Moreover, the surface plies of a given specimen,
transverse normal strain data obtained by transducers. This being constrained by only one neighboring ply (as opposed to
data is used to create an in-plane shear stress-shear strain interior plies, which are constrained by a ply on each side),
curve. represent the weakest link in a 645° specimen. During the
tensile loading of this test coupon, the first ply failures consist
5. Significance and Use primarily of normal stress (or mixed mode) failures, rather than
5.1 This test method is designed to produce in-plane shear pure shear failures. Because of this, the actual material shear
property data for material specifications, research and strength cannot be obtained from this test. Except for the case
development, quality assurance, and structural design and of materials capable of sustaining large axial test coupon
analysis. Factors that influence the shear response and should strains (greater than about 3.0 %), the shear stress at failure is
therefore be reported include the following: material, methods believed to underestimate the actual material shear strength.
of material preparation and lay-up, specimen stacking se- 6.1.2 Total Thickness Effects—As a result of the failure
quence and overall thickness, specimen preparation, specimen processes discussed above, the shear stress-shear strain re-
conditioning, environment of testing, specimen alignment and sponse at higher strain levels depends upon the total number of
gripping, speed of testing, time at temperature, void content, plies. As the total number of plies in the specimen configura-
and volume percent reinforcement. Properties that may be tion is increased, the relative contribution of the two weak
derived from this test method include the following: surface plies to the total force-carrying capacity is decreased.
5.1.1 In-plane shear stress versus shear strain response, After the surface plies of the laminate fail, their portion of the
5.1.2 In-plane shear chord modulus of elasticity, force is redistributed to the remainder of the intact plies. The
5.1.3 Offset shear properties, higher the total number of plies, the greater the chance that the
5.1.4 Maximum in-plane shear stress for a 645° laminate, remaining plies will be able to carry the force without
and immediate ultimate failure of the coupon. However, with each
5.1.5 Maximum in-plane engineering shear strain for a successive ply matrix failure the number of remaining intact
645° laminate. plies diminishes, to the point where the applied force can no
longer be carried. Because of this process, higher ply count

3 5
Petit, D. H., “A Simplified Method of Determining the In-plane Shear Kellas, S., Morton, J., and Jackson, K. E., “Damage and Failure Mechanisms in
Stress/Strain Response of Unidirectional Composites,” Composite Materials: Test- Scaled Angled-Ply Laminates,” Fourth Composites Symposium on Fatigue and
ing and Design, ASTM STP 460, American Society for Testing and Materials, 1969, Fracture, ASTM STP 1156, W. Stinchcomb and Ashbaugh, N. E., Eds., American
pp. 83–93. Society for Testing and Materials, 1993, pp. 257–280.
4 6
Rosen, B. W., “A Simple Procedure for Experimental Determination of the Repeating plies (adjacent plies at the same ply orientation) have an effect
Longitudinal Shear Modulus of Unidirectional Composites,” Journal of Composite similar to thick plies, therefore, this test method prohibits constructions with
Materials, October 1972, pp. 552–554. repeating plies.

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 D3518/D3518M − 18
specimens tend to achieve higher failure forces. To minimize 8.2 Geometry—The coupon geometry shall be in accor-
these effects, this test method requires the use of a homoge- dance with Test Method D3039/D3039M, as modified by the
neous stacking sequence and requires a fixed number of plies, following:
for which the only repeating plies are the two required for 8.2.1 The stacking sequence shall be [45/−45]ns, where 4 ≤
symmetry on opposite sides of the laminate mid plane. n ≤ 6 for unidirectional tape (16, 20, or 24 plies) and 2 ≤ n ≤
6.1.3 Effects of Large Deformation—Note that extreme fiber 4 for woven fabric (8, 12, or 16 plies). The recommended
scissoring can occur in this specimen for the cases of ductile coupon width is 25 mm [1.0 in.], and the recommended coupon
matrices, weak fiber/matrix interfaces, thick specimens with a length range is 200 to 300 mm [8 to 12 in.], inclusive.
large number of repeated plies, or a combination of the above. NOTE 2—Tabs, which are optional for the Test Method D3039/D3039M
Kellas et al suggest that a general rule of thumb for this test coupon, are normally not required for successful conduct of this
specimen is that a fiber rotation of 1° takes place for every 2 % Practice.
of axial strain (or every 3.5 % engineering shear strain for 8.3 Specimen Preparation—Specimen preparation shall be
commonly tested materials). Such fiber scissoring, if left in accordance with Test Method D3039/D3039M.
unbounded, would lead to an unacceptable violation of the
assumption in this test method of a nominal 645° laminate. 9. Calibration
This is the principal rationale for terminating this test at a large 9.1 Calibration shall be in accordance with Test Method
strain level, even if force is still increasing on the specimen. D3039/D3039M.
This test method terminates data reporting at 5 % calculated
engineering shear strain; this limits fiber scissoring to about 10. Conditioning
1.5°, is approximately the limit of foil strain gage technology 10.1 Conditioning shall be in accordance with Test Method
(if used), and is also well beyond the strain levels required for D3039/D3039M.
common engineering practice. Further details of the effects of
stacking sequence, specimen geometry, and, in particular, 11. Procedure
specimen and ply thickness, are presented in the reference by 11.1 Perform a tension test on the 645° laminate coupon in
Kellas et al. accordance with Test Method D3039/D3039M, with normal
6.1.4 Effects of Edge Stresses—Even though interlaminar strain instrumentation in both longitudinal and transverse
stresses reach a maximum value near the free edges of this directions and continuous or nearly continuous force-normal
laminate, the effect of interlaminar stresses on the failure strain data recording. If ultimate failure does not occur within
process of 645° laminates is insignificant when compared to 5 % engineering shear strain, the data shall be truncated to the
the effect of the normal stress component transverse to the fiber 5 % engineering shear strain mark (see 6.1.3 for the explana-
direction in the plane of the specimen. Therefore, the effect of tion). When the data is truncated, for the purpose of calculation
specimen width is much less important than stacking sequence and reporting, this 5 % engineering shear strain point shall be
and specimen thickness effects. considered the maximum shear stress. Any truncation of data
6.1.5 Effect of Axial Stress Nonuniformity—Both the shear shall be noted in the report. Examples of typical shear
stress and the shear modulus calculations depend upon the stress-engineering shear strain plots are shown in Fig. 3 and
uniformity of the applied axial stress. Since the average applied Fig. 4.
force is used to calculate the shear stress this will not
12. Validation
necessarily correspond to the stress in the vicinity of the
measured shear strain, unless the axial stress is uniform 12.1 Values for ultimate properties shall not be calculated
throughout the volume of the stressed material. Therefore, the for any specimen that breaks at some obvious flaw, unless such
greater the degree of material inhomogeneity, such as with
coarsely woven fabrics or materials with significant resin-rich
regions, the greater the potential for inaccuracies in the
measured response.
6.2 Other—Additional sources of potential data scatter in
testing of composite materials are described in Test Method
D3039/D3039M.

7. Apparatus
7.1 Apparatus shall be in accordance with Test Method
D3039/D3039M. However, this test method requires that
force-normal strain data be measured in both the longitudinal
and transverse directions of the coupon.

8. Sampling and Test Specimens

8.1 Sampling—Sampling shall be in accordance with Test FIG. 3 Typical Shear Stress-Shear Strain Curve for PMC with
Method D3039/D3039M. Low-Ductility Matrix

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γ 12i 5 ε χ i 2 ε y i (3)
m 5%
γ 12 5 min$ γ 12 at maximum shear stress (4)

where:
γ12i = engineering shear strain at i-th data point, µε;
εχi = longitudinal normal strain at i-th data point, µε; and
εyi = lateral normal strain at i-th data point, µε; and
γ12m = maximum engineering shear strain, µε.
13.3 Shear Modulus of Elasticity:
13.3.1 Chord Shear Modulus of Elasticity—Calculate the
chord shear modulus of elasticity using Eq 5, applied over a
4000 6 200 µε engineering shear strain range, starting with the
lower strain point in the range of 1500 to 2500 µε, inclusive.
Report the chord shear modulus of elasticity to three significant
figures. Also report the engineering shear strain range used in
the calculation. A graphical example of chord shear modulus is
FIG. 4 Typical Shear Stress-Shear Strain Curve for PMC with shown in Fig. 5.
Ductile Matrix
NOTE 3—The engineering shear strain range of 2000 to 6000 µε for
shear modulus determination was selected, based on the shear response of
a 645° tensile coupon with a Poisson ratio near 1.0, to correspond
flaw constitutes a variable being studied. Retests shall be approximately to the normal strain range of 1000 to 3000 µε used to report
performed for any specimen on which values are not calcu- the tensile chord modulus of elasticity in Test Method D3039/D3039M.
lated. 13.3.1.1 A different strain range must be used for materials
12.2 A significant fraction of failures in a sample population that fail or exhibit a transition region (a significant change in
exhibiting unacceptable failure modes shall be cause to reex- the slope of the stress-strain curve) before an engineering shear
amine the means of force introduction into the material. strain of 6000 µε. In such cases, the upper strain range value for
Factors considered should include the grip alignment, gaps the sample population shall be determined after testing; defined
between the grip and specimen, specimen thickness taper, and as 90 % of the average value of the upper limit of the
uneven machining. essentially linear region, rounded downward to the nearest 500
µε. Any presence of a transition region shall be reported, along
13. Calculation with the strain range used.
13.1 Maximum Shear Stress/Shear Stress— Calculate the
maximum in-plane shear stress for the 645° laminate using Eq
1 and report the results to three significant figures. If the shear
modulus is to be calculated, determine the shear stress at each
required data point using Eq 2.
Pm
τ 12m 5 (1)
2A
Pi
τ 12i 5 (2)
2A

where:
τ12m = maximum in-plane shear stress, MPa [psi];
Pm = maximum force at or below 5 % engineering shear
strain, N [lbf];
τ12 i = shear stress at i-th data point, MPa [psi];
Pi = force at i-th data point, N [lbf]; and
A = cross-sectional area in accordance with Test Method
D3039/D3039M, mm2 [in.2].
13.2 Shear Strain/Maximum Shear Strain— If shear modu-
lus or maximum engineering shear strain is to be calculated,
determine the engineering shear strain at each required data
point using Eq 3. The maximum engineering shear strain is
determined from Eq 4. Report the results to three significant FIG. 5 Illustration of Shear Modulus and Offset Strength Deter-
figures. mination

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∆τ 12 CV = sample coefficient of variation, in percent,
G chord
12 5 (5)
∆γ 12 n = number of specimens, and
where: xi = measured or derived property.
Gchord = shear chord modulus of elasticity, GPa [psi]; 14. Report
∆τ12 = difference in applied engineering shear stress be-
14.1 Report the following information, or references point-
tween the two shear strain points, MPa [psi]; and
∆γ12 = difference between the two engineering shear strain ing to other documentation containing this information, to the
points (nominally 0.004). maximum extent applicable (reporting of items beyond the
control of a given testing laboratory, such as might occur with
13.3.2 Shear Modulus of Elasticity (Other Definitions)— material details or panel fabrication parameters, shall be the
Other definitions of elastic modulus may be evaluated and responsibility of the requestor):
reported at the user’s discretion. If such data is generated and
reported, report also the definition used, the engineering shear NOTE 6—ASTM Guides E1309, E1434, and E1471 are withdrawn. The
information has been moved to Appendix X2 for historical reference.
strain range used, and the results to three significant figures.
Test Method E111 provides additional guidance in the deter- 14.2 In addition to the data reported in accordance with Test
mination of modulus of elasticity. Method D3039/D3039M, the report shall include the following
information:
NOTE 4—An example of another modulus definition is the secondary 14.2.1 The revision level or date of issue of this test method.
chord modulus of elasticity for materials that exhibit essentially bilinear
stress-strain behavior. 14.2.2 Engineering shear strain range used for chord shear
modulus determination.
13.4 Offset Shear Strength—If desired, an offset shear 14.2.3 If another definition of shear modulus of elasticity is
strength may be determined from the shear stress versus used in addition to chord shear modulus, describe the method
engineering shear strain curve. Translate the shear chord used, the resulting correlation coefficient (if applicable), and
modulus of elasticity line along the strain axis from the origin the engineering shear strain range used for the evaluation.
by a fixed strain value and extend this line until it intersects the 14.2.4 Individual values of shear modulus of elasticity, and
stress-strain curve. Determine the shear stress that corresponds the average, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation (in
to the intersection point and report this value, to three signifi- percent) values for the population.
cant digits, as the offset shear strength, along with the value of 14.2.5 Individual values of offset shear strength with the
the offset strain, as in: value of the offset strain, along with the average, standard
F 12° ~ 0.2 % offset! 5 70 MPa (6) deviation, and coefficient of variation (in percent) values for
the population.
A graphical example of offset shear strength is shown in Fig.
14.2.6 Individual maximum shear stresses, and the average,
5.
standard deviation, and coefficient of variation (in percent)
NOTE 5—In the absence of evidence suggesting the use of a more values for the population. Note any test in which the failure
appropriate value, an offset strain value of 0.2 % is recommended. force was less than the maximum force before failure.
13.5 Statistics—For each series of tests calculate the aver- 14.2.7 Individual maximum engineering shear strains, and
age value, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation (in the average value, standard deviation, and coefficient of varia-
percent) for each property determined: tion (in percent) for the population. Note any test that was
truncated to 5 % engineering shear strain.

x̄ 5
S( D
n

i51
x i
(7) 15. Precision and Bias
n
15.1 Precision—The data required for the development of a
n
precision statement is not available for this test method.
! (x 2 2
2 nx̄
i51
i
Committee D30 is currently planning a round-robin test series
s n21 5 (8)
n21 for this test method to determine precision.
s n21 15.2 Bias—Bias cannot be determined for this test method
CV 5 100 3 (9)
x̄ as no acceptable reference standard exists.
where: 16. Keywords
x̄ = sample mean (average), 16.1 composite materials; shear modulus; shear properties;
sn−1 = sample standard deviation,
shear strength

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APPENDIXES

(Nonmandatory Information)

X1. SIGNIFICANT POINTS OF MAJOR REVISIONS TO THIS TEST METHOD

X1.1 1991 Revision: the approach to standard conditioning described by Test

X1.1.1 Updated the format to conform to 1989 Form and Method D5229/D5229M.
Style for ASTM Standards. X1.2.6 Added the determinations and reporting of an offset
X1.1.2 Changed the title and clarified the scope. shear strength.
X1.1.3 Transformed the document from an inch-pound X1.2.7 Shear modulus reporting now includes, at a
standard to a dual-units standard. minimum, a strain-range-based chord shear modulus and also
X1.1.4 Updated the Terminology section. requires documentation of the strain range used for any other
modulus definitions reported.
X1.1.5 Added a new Interferences section.
X1.2.8 Shear stress/engineering shear strain data has been
X1.1.6 Added a new Calibration section. truncated at 5 % engineering shear strain.
X1.2 1994 Revision: X1.2.9 Ultimate shear strength has been removed from this
X1.2.1 Updated the format to conform to current practices practice, replaced by reporting of maximum shear stress,
of Committee D30. determinated as the maximum shear stress not exceeding 5 %
engineering shear strain.
X1.2.2 Relaxed the scope to allow usage of this test method
on material forms reinforced by woven fabrics. X1.2.10 New illustrations have been included.
X1.2.3 Extensively updated the Interferences section to X1.2.11 Data reporting now follows Guide E1434.
discuss difficulty with this test method in obtaining reliable
values for ultimate shear strength, and generally replaced the X1.3 2018 Revision:
modifier ultimate with the term maximum throughout the text,
as appropriate. X1.3.1 Updated the Scope format to conform to current
practices of Committee D30.
X1.2.4 Added to the coupon geometry, limitations on the
stacking sequence of the test specimen laminate, and provided X1.3.2 Removed withdrawn documents from Section 2.
recommended values for coupon length and width. X1.3.3 Updated Section 14 with current boilerplate and
X1.2.5 Indirectly incurred several procedural changes, moved reporting practices of withdrawn methods to new
through changes to Test Method D3039/D3039M, including Appendix section.

X2. HISTORICAL RECORD REFERENCE

X2.1 Data Reporting—The data reported with this test X2.1.1.2 Field A5, Type of Test—The response shall be
method include mechanical testing data, material identification “in-plane shear.”
data, fiber filler, and core material identification data and shall X2.1.1.3 Field B2, Specimen Orientation—The response
be in accordance with Guides E1434, E1309, and E1471, shall be “0.0.”
respectively. Each data item discussed is identified as belong- X2.1.1.4 Block E, Transducer Block—Used twice; once for
ing to one of the following categories: (VT) required for each transducer.
reporting of a valid test result, (VM) required for valid material X2.1.1.5 Block F, Specimen Geometry Block—F6 (rein-
traceability, (RT) recommended for maximum test method forcement volume) may be actual values, or it may be the
traceability, (RM) recommended for maximum material average value for a sample. F7 (overall length) and F8 (gage
traceability, or (O) for optional data items. At a minimum, the length) may be actual values, or they may be the nominal or
report shall include all (VT) category items from Guide E1434. average value for the sample. F9 (area) is the actual area in
X2.1.1 Clarification of Guide E1434 Responses for This accordance with Test Method D3039/D3039M. F10 must also
Test Method: satisfy Test Method D3039/D3039M.
X2.1.1.1 Field A1, Test Method—The response shall be X2.1.1.6 H32/K58, Progressive Damage Parameter—The
either “D3518 – 94” or “D3518M – 94,” as appropriate. response shall be “0.2 % offset strength.”

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 D3518/D3518M − 18
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